Setting up a free Wi-Fi Hotspot - How to?

[Vyper340]

In about 6 weeks I will have installed a broadband connection in up scale coffee shop and eatery and I intend to make it a free Wi-Fi hotspot. I've read much about access points and am not unfamiliar with wireless networking since I've been using it for a few years in my SOHO. Here are some of my questions:
1. Are there "pro's" in my area who can help me configure the "right" setup? I am located in Virginia Beach, VA.
2. I can see from reading that I should stick with the 3com type brands for "commercial" application but what are the drawbacks of using some of their "officeconnect" brands instead of the commercial stuff?
3. No matter which route of hardware I go with is there a source online that can explain to me how to set up the hotspot so that anyone entering my store can "see" the interent through Explorer or Netscape?
4. What if I want to require a purchase so that the users can obtain a password good for that business day? Where do I investigate products that are capable of that and offer the security to protect my own network (which consists of a simple PC with Windows 2K connected to a cable modem, router, access point, and 3com Superstack hub, acting as a server to a high-end POS system that also are stand alone PC's)?

Any recommedations, reading sources, or contacts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Dave

[M/Q]

Welcome to the forum. I have linked many threads that have information about hotspots.

http://forums.wi-fiplanet.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=76523&sortby=&sortorder=

As for the brand, there are several devices that have their intended function to be hotspot AP's. I personally prefer the Proxim one, it is listed in some of the threads. 3Com has good enterprise equipment as well. As for the commercial versus SOHO, I think you know the answer to that already, it is almost always better to go the commercial route. In the long run it will be cheaper and better on the business plan.

Most hotspot devices or software solutions have a webpage/security arrangement built in. Again check out the threads as that information is listed in several of them. As for your security, that is a big issue and needs to be addressed with a firewall or something like this link.

http://www.isaserver.org/tutorials/trihomedwirelessdmz.html

Check out the threads and see what you think.

[Vyper340]

Thanks for the feedback and links! Good reading!

What Cisco products do you recommed for my free WiFi application and what are your thoughts on the D-Link DSA 3100 as a good security alternative or addition to a good AP?

[Vyper340]

TTT